Fuel Cell Separator Seal Layout for More Active and Cooling Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fuel cell separators face challenges in maximizing the area for power generation and cooling without increasing the outer shape, which affects manufacturing costs and installation space.
Innovation Solution
A separator design featuring a plate-shaped configuration with an anode and cathode separator, a joint portion that surrounds the flow paths, and a seal portion that overlaps the joint portion in the thickness direction, effectively utilizing the area by reducing the occupied space of the seal and joint portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the area of the region surrounded by the joint portion or seal portion is increased to improve power generation efficiency and cooling efficiency, then the power generation efficiency and cooling efficiency are improved, but the outer shape of the separator increases, leading to increased manufacturing cost and installation space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The seal portion is designed to overlap the joint portion in the thickness direction (z-axis), transforming a two-dimensional planar layout problem into a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This allows the seal portion to utilize the thickness dimension rather than requiring additional planar area, thereby improving power generation efficiency without increasing the separator's outer shape area.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal portion is positioned to overlap and nest within the projection area of the joint portion when viewed from the lateral direction. This nesting arrangement allows both the joint portion and seal portion to occupy the same projected area, effectively utilizing space and avoiding the need to increase the separator's outer dimensions while maximizing the functional area for power generation and cooling.
2Temperature
If the area of the region surrounded by the joint portion or seal portion is increased to improve cooling efficiency, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the outer shape of the separator increases, leading to increased installation space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channels are arranged to overlap the joint portion in the thickness direction, allowing the cooling medium to flow through regions that would otherwise be occupied by the joint structure. This three-dimensional arrangement maximizes the cooling surface area and improves heat dissipation efficiency without increasing the separator's footprint area, thereby reducing installation space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal portion is strategically positioned to overlap the joint portion only in specific regions where it contributes to sealing without interfering with the cooling function. This localized arrangement allows different regions of the separator to have different functional qualities - some regions optimized for sealing, others for cooling - thereby improving overall cooling efficiency without requiring uniform expansion of the outer shape.
Data Source
AI summary
A separator includes: an anode separator including an anode side surface on which a fuel gas flow passage groove is formed; a cathode separator including a cathode side surface on which an oxidation gas flow passage groove is formed; a joint portion that extends so as to surround the fuel gas flow passage groove and the oxidation gas flow passage groove, and joins the anode separator and the cathode separator to each other; and an outer peripheral seal portion provided on at least one of the fuel gas flow passage groove and the oxidation gas flow passage groove, extending along the joint portion, and formed so as to overlap the joint portion when viewed in a thickness direction of the separator.